Transformative Teaching Around the World

Transformative Teaching Around the World compiles inspiring stories from Fulbright-awarded teachers whose instructional practices have impacted schools and communities globally.

"Sci-fi author Brandon Sanderson wrote, 'The purpose of a storyteller is not to tell you how to think, but to give you questions to think upon.' That is exactly what each of the wonderful storytellers who contributed to this important book do. As a former Fulbright Scholar (Peru 1979-80), it was especially gratifying to read so many inspirational stories from fellow Fulbrighters. Curtis J. Bonk and Meina Zhu co-edited this volume with the overall goal of making a positive impact on teachers and learners. There is no doubt that it will do just that."
Thomas C. Reeves, Professor Emeritus of Learning, Design, and Technology at The University of Georgia, USA

"I wish I had had this book years ago. By bringing together the experience and guidance of award-winning teachers and educational technology specialists from all over the world, this book yields a cache of knowledge-with-wisdom and helps make our journey of teaching and learning more enjoyable and successful. Transformative Teaching Around the World is a must-read for both enthusiasts and skeptics of innovative teaching with technologies regardless of their cultural and contextual differences."
Insung Jung, Professor in the Education & Psychology Program at International Christian University, Japan

"What is impact? Measuring impact in education is never easy, as it takes time to capture the impact and articulate a causal relationship. Stories are often used to demonstrate personal lived experiences of change as evidence of impact, and this book presents such stories in plenty. They relate experiences of innovation, grit, and resilience across national boundaries and provide food for thought and reflection. This book is a testament to the popularity of its sourceR546: Instructional Strategies for Thinking, Collaboration and Motivation, a university course taught by Professor Curtis J. Bonk that has attracted teacher education students from Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, as well as North and South Americaand the number of minds it has ignited to promote innovative teaching practices. Once in a blue moon, teachers can demonstrate such huge impact of their teachings. By collating their stories, the editors have taken a further step forward to spread the impact beyond those who benefitted from their classes."
Sanjaya Mishra, Education Specialist of eLearning at Commonwealth of Learning

"As a former Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad Program recipient who traveled internationally with pre- and in-service teachers from the U.S., I can attest to the importance and timeliness of this enlightening book. These stories of other like-minded educators overcoming various challenges while continually moving forward are truly inspiring. Curtis J. Bonk, a preeminent and visionary author on global education and emergent technologies for learning, and his colleague Meina Zhu have done an extraordinary job sharing genuine transformative teaching examples that can add value for other educators considering similar endeavors. Rarely does an academic book so accurately and compellingly tell the story of what's involved in the process of transformative teaching and learning within a global context."
Heejung An, Professor in the College of Education at William Paterson University of New Jersey, USA, and editor of *Handbook of Research on Efficacy and Implementation of Study Abroad Programs for P-12 Teachers

*"This book reaffirms that individuals with ideas and passion can change perceptions and practices. Timely and relevant, it provides global educational and historical perspectives through personal stories and shared experiences across a range of countries and educational situations. With a focus on the application of technology to learning and teaching, it is pertinent reading for both pre-service and in-service teachers. There is something very powerful about storytelling, and I applaud how the reflection questions for each story prompt the reader to think more deeply and share their own personal stories. Innovation starts with one idea, and this book provides hundreds of ideas (not to mention contact information for the contributors) such as augmented reality-based curriculum, online collaboration, cultural adaptations of technology use, active and personalised learning objectives, to list but a few. This book leverages the power of storytelling, going above and beyond mere instructional design, to share gems of inspiration that we can all learn from. In today's educational climate, it is a powerful contribution to and catalyst for improving learning and teaching globally."
Julie Lindsay, Senior Education Technology Advisor at the University of Southern Queensland, Australia, Director of Learning Confluence Pty Ltd, and Founder and CEO of Flat Connections

"The world's most successful schools encourage students to set goals that are meaningful to them, draw on their own passions and interests, focus on knowledge domains (not subjects and courses), and develop the skills to become lifelong learners. Transformative Teaching around the World: Stories of Cultural Impact, Technology Integration, and Innovative Pedagogy shares the experiences of Fulbright teachers from twenty-two countries who transformed their classrooms to do exactly this. The teachers, from every discipline and across every type of learning environmentfrom schools and virtual classrooms and gaming worlds to prisons, farms, and cityscapesdescribe the leaps they took in their professional lives to establish learning environments that sparkle with motivation and innovation. This book is a rich addition both to the literature about school transformation and to the editors' previous work documenting practices that teachers can use in learner-centered and technology-enriched classrooms. Transformative Teaching Around the World is valuable not only for teachers but for school leaders and policymakers who must lead the charge for policy change to make these examples the norm in schools in the U.S. and globally."
Susan Patrick, CEO of the Aurora Institute

"Few events in our lifetimes are as transformative as doctoral studiesgetting married and having baby come close. For most, it will be a significant watershed moment, a turning point for new beginnings and perhaps new lives. Such is the impact of that kind of sustained effort which Curtis Bonk and Meina Zhu have so successfully captured in this book with the lived experiences of a selection of their graduate students. These are stories of the trials and tribulations, joys and triumphsnot only of their graduate study experiences, but of how they themselves are transforming the lives of others throughout the world. Such is the impact of these indefatigable and indomitable educators on their students. Their enthusiasm for what they do is infectious. This is a book you will want to read slowly and savor. Enjoy!"
Som Naidu, Executive Editor of Distance Education and Principal Associate at Technology, Education and Design Associates

"Transformative Teaching Around the World is a compendium of compelling stories told by innovative practitioners from across the globe. These are firsthand accounts of the motivational, creative, and joyful practices that characterize the technologies, collaborations, and cultural exchanges of twenty-first-century education excellence. Bonk and Zhu have curated a very comprehensive sampling of short field narratives of educators speaking in their own voices. A reaffirming and worthwhile read."
Tom Reynolds, Professor in the Sanford College of Education at National University, USA

"Transformative Teaching Around the World, edited by Curtis J. Bonk and Meina Zhu, was born from a fortuitous and far-sighted program in which dozens of talented …